Today started a new semester of Camp Barbie: For boys only! This camp will revolve around one special boy, Jacob. He will come to camp every Monday. We had fun today learning about each other and him learning about my house. I had forgotten how “inquisitive” a three year old can be! “Why” seemed to be the operative word of the day. Why are the figs gone? Why do you have pink toenails? Why do you not like milk? Why do you put your napkin in your lap? I could go on but why? Even Mr. Lee came home at lunch for a few minutes to check out the first day of camp. The only thing I really failed at today was nap time. But we’ll work on that next week. I would say that for our first day together, it was a big success!

First day of Camp Barbie

This is NOT a bicycle, it is
a Mongoose.

Checking the mail is a good thing to
do while at Camp Barbie

Many of you in blog-land know that I have experienced some major life-altering events since my back surgery. Notice I said life-altering and not life-threatening. Big difference. But in the darkest of days, my friend Carolyn stepped into my life and left her fingerprints all over my heart. I have known her for years. We have a lot in common but until recently I only had “head” knowledge of who she was and not a “heart” knowledge. I believe a lot of people have that same relationship with Jesus. They know about Him but they haven’t allowed Him to enter their lives and leave His fingerprints on their heart. I can’t wait till the day I sit across the porch from God and thank Him for my friend Carolyn.

Featuring the latest fashion in “cookie wear”, Emileigh and Madyson proudly display their sunglasses and tiara’s. Adorned with edible “candy” these girls designed dresses, swimsuits, and sea creatures today at Camp Barbie. Jewels MUST be in this fall as the girls loaded their cookies up with pearls, flowers, and heart shaped candies. I do hope they brush their teeth tonight!

As neither girl had really experienced decorating cookies, they were very receptive to my instructions and help. So it was in the New Testament with Paul and Timothy. Paul devoted himself to encouraging Timothy and to help him realize his full potential in Christ. No one can live the Christian life alone. We all need encouragers, motivators who cheer for us and are examples of how we can grow in Christ. I pray that is what Camp Barbie has been, a time of encouraging and motivating young girls to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

Today was my last flip flop class. We are just running out of summer. Today’s campers included Angel, Kaylee and Shiloh. We had a few “issues” today. We used up all the glue sticks! I couldn’t find my very sticky red tape. I panicked…and then I prayed. Quickly, silently but I prayed. If it’s important to the Father, then He will make a way. We used liquid glue and I found the new package of sticky red tape. No camp is perfect but my God is perfect. His word says His plans are not my plans; His ways are higher than my ways. We may be finished with flip flops at Camp Barbie but I know my God is not finished with me.

Yes, for four! And what a special four I had. The Heaton family once again filled my playroom with plenty of girly conversation. These are very special girls and I have been blessed to have all of them in Sunday school and children’s choir. Oldest sister, Briann just finished the Girls World Series Softball games in Florida, where the Denison girls placed 8^th. If you will notice, she has a “special” flip flop album created just for her. I love these girls. Their family is very faithful to church and in their love for the Lord. I am a better person for knowing them.

This post is in honor of Uncle Tracy. Let it never be said Tyler, that Uncle Tracy doesn’t love you. This picture was taken recently when Tracy and Megan visited Tyler in San Antonio. Looks like Tyler is holding on for dear life.

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Tyler Lee is my first grandchild! His parents are Trevor and Michelle. Tyler has the distinct privilege of being the 5^th Clayton to continue the name Lee. Besides the legacy of his name, he has a long legacy of Godly men in his life. I haven’t gotten to know Tyler as well as I would like to. Seeing this little guy standing in his baby bed sure brings back a lot of memories.

Two cute flip flop albums were seen leaving Camp Barbie today! A Mobley Mother/daughter team worked side by side, reminiscing their beach vacation they had over spring break. This was Erin’s 2^nd time to visit Camp Barbie. As Camp Director I felt a little inhibited by having an Elementary school Principal and Special Ed Teacher attend camp. We quickly adapted to each other and both ladies quickly mastered the art of glue sticks and stickles! I did notice Ms. Janie scoping out Erin’s book several times. It seems adults are a little more intimidated than children. That is one reason why it is so important to “tell the old old story” at such a young age. Jesus once said. “Let the little children come to Me. Do not stop them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” Mark 10:14. Flip flops, families and faith was what Camp Barbie was all about today.

Cookies, cookies and more cookies were iced, embellished and eaten today at Camp Barbie. The Chesser girls attended Cookie School for the first time and I’m proud to say they passed with flying colors. “Mom Michelle” was very pleased with the simple but delicious recipe. I was pleased with the way the girls used their imaginations to decorate. We had icing, sprinkles, sanding sugar, and more sprinkles flying around the table. Sunshines, bathing suits, crowns, and flowers were each iced to perfection. No Bible story or scripture was shared but the love around my kitchen table was obvious. The girls loved having fun together with their Mom. They told me stories of their recent vacation. They were making plans for a sleepover, which would now include decorating cookies. That’s what life is all about…Loving God and Loving each other.

Today was our first flip flop album for Camp Barbie. Andee Beth and Sierra did a great job with their album. Today’s camp had no scripture, no spiritual “wisdom” to impart. However, as the girls giggled, glued, and glittered their flip flop pages, we talked about “scrapping” their memories of family trips, sleepovers, and birthdays. I reminded the girls how blessed they are to come from a family with a Mom and a Dad who love them and provide for them and who teach them about God’s love. We may not have quoted scripture today but we came away certainly thankful for families and friends and a flip flop album full of memories.